I adopted Mini B from Bret Tallent. The original project showcase is here: https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/2266 Here is the original build process: https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/938
Mini B arrived at his new home on 1-23-2014. He was packed very well, but did encounter some "issues" in shipping, mostly to his head/neck. The head broke off from the neck, the servo neck connector broke, some of the wires in the head broke and the camera board broke. The right arm is messed up too, but that was an issue that came up before shipping.
When you take over a robot built by someone else there a lot of questions that come up and the biggest first question I had was "where's the on switch"? There was no visible switch that I could find. After talking to Bret he explained the switch is on the lower back side and it is using the original RAD power switch in the base. The robot is everything I thought it would be and more. It's a beautiful robot that Bret built and I'm looking forward to continue to develop it.
At the top of my to do this for this robot is: fix the top part of the head replace the camera (the original camera cannot be fixed as the circuit traces were pulled off the PCB) fix the neck servo modify the neck (I want to make a bracket system so the head can be unscrewed and totally removed) fix the right arm
Other robots from Synthiam community
Nekoeccentric's Dr.Who's Nsd Dalek
DJ's Drd 3D Printable Robot
<< I did use two servos in each arm tied in parallel to get that range of motion. Yup, sure enough. The end servo was so stiff it didn't really move and I didn't want to roll the sleeve down too far on the good arm, but I do see that now.
<< (the screw in the servo horn broke off in it.) LOL! That makes so much more sense now!
The hole is so tiny I could not tell, I was starting to think maybe some epoxy got in there.
Thank you Bret for all your help! I really appreciate it. Mini B is a great robot.
Hope to see him running around soon!
This is one very cool project. I am buying a mini b of my own and want to modify him. I know he is a rare collectible but adding functionality should hold its value.
I collect a specific toy line but there are some overall generalizations that apply to all collectible toys. Maybe even to all collectibles. So here's what I can tell you.
Bad News: It will destroy it's value as a collectible to most "collectors" of things like that. Modifying it in any way, shape, or form, will deface it in the collectible market. For example, Jared, from the show "Toy Hunter" wouldn't buy it for his business.
Another example of this would be firearms. An old beat up gun is usually worth more than a restored or refinished one. It's all about it's original state.
Good News: Turning it into a super cool, very playable, mini b 9 toy will probably increase it's value to everyone else. For example, Jared, wouldn't buy it for his business but there's a good chance that he might buy it for himself just because it would be awesome.
To continue the firearm example, that beat up junker probably won't sell quick but the restored one will. It's cheaper and looks nicer.
Love the screen capture of the old Droids cartoon BTW.
It's your toy. Do with it what you want as long it gives you pleasure.
Dave... LOL... I think you need to re-read your last post... It's definitely open for interpretation....
LOL Richard!
@Richard R- LOL! I currently work at a place that distributes the items I think you may be hinting at. I think Dave's quote would work out quite well on the packaging of some of those items.
I did interview for a tech support job today. Things went well so, I hope to not be at the adult product warehouse for much longer.